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The article Supreme Court Must Apply ‘Basic Structure’ Doctrine To Election Commission Row appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
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Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Central banks are increasing gold reserves and shifting bullion between international vaults, with new industry data showing a sharp rise in purchases and growing interest in reducing dependence on individual storage centres. The World Gold Council says official institutions bought an average of approximately 1,000 tonnes annually over the four years preceding its 2026 survey, compared with roughly 500 tonnes a year during […]
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The world’s most powerful central banks are lining up to raise interest rates at the same time. History suggests this rarely ends quietly. The Federal Reserve is, I believe, likely to hold this month, then hike in December. Markets put the odds of a European Central Bank rise in December at 84%. Canada’s inflation has smashed through its target. British wage growth keeps running hot. Everywhere you […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2026 – As part of its mission to eliminate avoidable vision loss, Orbis and the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), partnered to tackle the growing, lifelong burden of short-sightedness (myopia) across Hong Kong. The joint initiative highlights how myopia takes root early in primary school and, if left unmanaged, poses a severe, sight-threatening risk in later life.
Rather than a minor inconvenience corrected by stronger glasses, unmanaged high myopia physically alters the structure of the eye, drastically increasing the lifetime risk of irreversible blindness. Drawing on insights from HKUMed’s academic research and data from the joint Orbis x HKUMed Vision Matters community screening project, this partnership provides a crucial wake-up call on how lifelong visual health is determined during childhood.
In direct response to this public health challenge, Orbis and the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed, are taking immediate action by offering 1,000 free comprehensive eye examinations for local children. This initiative gives families immediate access to expert care, early detection, and evidence-based guidance to safeguard their children’s sight before permanent damage occurs. In parallel, free eye screening will be provided to 1,000 adults aged over 50 years with known myopia. The 1,000 paediatric eye examinations and 1,000 adult eye screenings are all part of the HKUMed 140 for the Community Campaign.
A Lifelong Threat: From Classroom to Later Life
The joint effort establishes a clear, connected narrative across two generations:
In the adult analysis, visual impairment or blindness was roughly twice as common among individuals with myopia and more than four times (6.3% vs. 1.5%) as common among those with high myopia, compared to those without myopia. Glaucoma—the leading cause of irreversible blindness—was also nearly twice as prevalent among people with high myopia compared to those without (13.1% vs. 6.8%). Together, these findings highlight the critical importance of identifying and managing myopia early, before it progresses into high myopia.
Practical Action: Free Screenings and Clinical Solutions
To bridge medical evidence with practical community action, Orbis and the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed are rolling out complementary initiatives. The 1,000 paediatric examinations and 1,000 adult screenings are all part of the HKUMed 140 for the Community Campaign:
AT A GLANCE
Leadership Quotes:
Professor Chak-sing Lau, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Deanof Medicine, HKU:
“Myopia is an increasingly important public health challenge that places a substantial lifelong burden on individuals and society. Through the HKUMed 140 for the Community Campaign, these initiatives reflect our longstanding commitment to translating academic excellence into meaningful benefits for the community. HKUMed is dedicated to transforming pioneering research into real-world health benefits. Through our partnership with Orbis, we seek to integrate clinical excellence, technological innovation, and population health research to lessen the impact of myopia and its complications in Hong Kong, while providing robust scientific evidence to guide eye health policy and clinical practice in the region. Together, we are working to safeguard the long-term visual health of schoolchildren and the wider population.”
Kathleen Sherwin, President and CEO of Orbis International:
“This partnership connects community service directly with research. The adult screening programme gives us a clearer view of the long-term burden of myopia, while the children’s examinations and planned trial focus on acting earlier. Together, Orbis and HKUMed are turning evidence into practical steps to protect sight.”
Mary Lau, Director of Orbis Hong Kong:
“Parents should see myopia as a condition that needs active management, not simply stronger glasses. By offering 1,000 child exams; 1,000 screenings for myopic adults over 50, we want to help more families identify problems early, obtain professional advice and take action to protect their different generation’s sight.”
Professor Christopher Leung Kai-shun, Albert Bing-Ching Young Professor in Ophthalmology, Chairperson and Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed:
“Vision Matters is showing us that myopia is an important part of the eye-health burden among Hong Kong’s over-50s. Glasses can correct blurred vision, but they cannot reverse the excessive growth of the eye or eliminate the risk of permanent sight loss associated with high myopia. The earlier we act, the greater the opportunity to protect sight over a lifetime.”
Dr Helen Zhang, Principal Investigator of the 2027 Children Myopia Control Study; and Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed
“This trial will compare eye drops, myopia-control lenses and both treatments combined. We aim to provide clearer evidence to help families choose the right approach for their children.”
Dr Kendrick Shih, Investigator of the 2027 Children Myopia Control Study; and Clinical Associate Professor of Practice, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed:
“Myopia can worsen without obvious warning signs. Regular monitoring and timely treatment can help protect a child’s vision for the future.”
What Parents Can Do
Public Registration & Participation
Registration will open in phases:
Phase 1 (Now Open): Free eye screenings for children aged 5–12 (limited quotas, first-come, first-served).
Online Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/CzitVUBgJQ
Phase 2 (Coming Soon): Free eye screenings for myopic adults aged 50 or above. Details will be announced on the HKU portal and official Orbis channels.
Hashtag: #Orbis #HKUMed #Myopia
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
By Nantoo Banerjee The prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, lately due to the ego tussle between the United States and Iran, have inflicted severe financial, operational, and human costs on India’s merchant marine industry and broader import-export trade. But, thanks to an excellent supply chain management effort, it failed to impact the country’s […]
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Saudi Arabia is seeking stronger regional military cooperation as escalating Houthi attacks expose security vulnerabilities and threaten Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s economic transformation programme. Egypt signalled its readiness on Sunday to provide military assistance against the Iran-backed Yemeni movement, following a series of missile and drone strikes that have killed civilians, disrupted international aviation and threatened vital Saudi infrastructure. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for parliamentary […]
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Artificial intelligence played a role in 84% of ransomware attacks experienced by surveyed organisations, while 87% reported attacks targeting identity infrastructure, according to a global cybersecurity study published on Wednesday. The 2026 Ransomware Risk Report, released by cybersecurity company Semperis, surveyed 1,200 IT and security professionals across nine countries and eight industry sectors, exposing significant weaknesses in corporate identity protection and recovery capabilities. The findings indicate that […]
Ransomware gangs are threatening employees’ families while deploying artificial intelligence in attacks on corporate systems, a global survey published on Wednesday found. Cybersecurity company Semperis said 37% of respondents who experienced intimidation reported threats against relatives or friends, while 84% of surveyed ransomware incidents involved attackers exploiting artificial intelligence. The findings underline how criminals are combining technical intrusions with personal pressure to extract payments. The 2026 Ransomware […]
Major announcements and launches
The World Health Summit is the leading platform for global health. It brings together stakeholders from politics, science, the private sector, and civil society to set the agenda for a healthier future.
Hashtag: #WorldHealthSummit
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Legal & General is protecting its government bond purchases against another global debt selloff, using futures contracts to limit losses even as higher yields create buying opportunities. The British asset manager, which oversees approximately £1.2 trillion, has been purchasing sovereign debt while taking offsetting positions in bond futures, according to Chris Jeffery, its head of macro strategy. The approach reflects growing concern that government borrowing pressures and […]
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